Chapter 198

Chapter 198

After receiving the imperial decree, Pan Yong needed to make another trip to the palace to listen to the Xingping Emperor's instructions regarding his upcoming mission.

When Liu, the eunuch, announced Pan Yong's arrival, the Xingping Emperor was listening to reports from the two prime ministers about the preparations for the upcoming imperial examinations.

Having executed and dismissed a batch of corrupt officials, new officials were naturally needed to fill their positions. Therefore, as soon as Luoyang was stabilized, the Xingping Emperor urgently sent out an official document to all regions, announcing the imperial court's decision to hold additional imperial examinations. Given that Liaozhou was the furthest from Luoyang, and it would take nearly two months for candidates from there to arrive, the examinations were set for three days: March 19, March 22, and March 25.

During peaceful times, only those who had passed the provincial examinations could take part in the spring imperial examinations. However, given the disruptions caused by years of war, some scholars who were talented had not even had the chance to take the preliminary examinations. This time, the Xingping Emperor specially allowed county magistrates to recommend up to three talented individuals who had not obtained the status of examination candidates to come to the capital for the examinations. The candidates had to be between the ages of 20 and 40.

Wei Qi said, "Your Majesty, the candidates from Liaozhou, the furthest region, arrived at the capital five days ago. These few days should be enough for them to rest."

The Xingping Emperor said, "They are still at a disadvantage. While candidates from nearby areas have been diligently studying in inns, they have been traveling on the road."

Song Lan said, "As long as they have studied well, they won't be affected by a month or two of last-minute preparation. Moreover, it is already their good fortune to wait for Your Majesty to pacify the country and hold additional examinations."

The Xingping Emperor nodded and, looking at Song Lan, asked, "By the way, has Zhishi registered?"

Song Lan replied, "He is only 22 years old and now resides in the prosperous area of Luoyang. I intend for him to follow the regular path of taking the preliminary examinations and becoming a candidate. I don't want him to compete for spots with scholars from various regions who have been eagerly awaiting this opportunity."

The Xingping Emperor smiled and said, "Why do you and Prime Minister Wei have the same thought? Wei's son, Min, is only 16 and indeed not in a hurry. Zhishi is already 22. With his extensive knowledge, why should he be needlessly delayed? I am holding additional examinations to select capable individuals. I only care about their abilities, not their backgrounds. How can I let Zhishi be disadvantaged just because you are a high-ranking official? Prime Minister Wei, please register Zhishi's name and let him take the examinations."

Wei Qi smiled and agreed.

Song Lan knelt down and said, "I, on behalf of my son, thank Your Majesty for your grace."

The Xingping Emperor told him to rise and, glancing at Liu, the eunuch, asked Song Lan, "I remember Pan Yong was initially under Xiao Mu. He seems to be from Lingshui Village as well?"

Song Lan replied, "Yes. Two years ago, when a severe drought struck the northern border of Liangzhou, a large number of refugees migrated into Jinzhou. Pan's family settled in Lingshui Village during that time."

The Xingping Emperor said, "Wei County is adjacent to Jizhou. They have indeed traveled quite far."

Song Lan explained, "The closer they stayed to Liangzhou, the more refugees there would be, and the local government would be unable to accommodate them. The refugees would also be more likely to cause trouble among themselves. Although traveling far was more exhausting, it helped them avoid some troubles and made it easier for the new local government to accommodate them."

Wei Qi said, "This shows that Pan Yong indeed has strategic insight."

The Xingping Emperor said, "Since he is also from Liangzhou, he will be more likely to build rapport with the soldiers under Ren Xun. Bring him in."

Liu, the eunuch, turned around to summon Pan Yong.

The two prime ministers stood to the side.

Pan Yong, adhering to proper etiquette, entered with his eyes lowered and stopped a few steps away from the imperial desk, kneeling on one knee. "Your humble subject greets the Emperor."

The Xingping Emperor was somewhat familiar with the group of young men around Xiao Mu but had not paid much attention to Pan Yong until now. Seeing that Pan Yong was in his mid-forties, with a physique as solid as an iron tower, he appeared to be a formidable warrior. Recalling Xiao Mu's praise of Pan Yong's strategic insight, which surpassed that of Xiao Shouyi, the Xingping Emperor immediately took a liking to him and smiled. "Rise."

Pan Yong stood up.

The Xingping Emperor asked, "Where did you learn your martial arts?"

Pan Yong respectfully replied, "Your humble subject's ancestors were blacksmiths. The daily work of forging metal built up my strength. Initially, I only knew how to use brute force to handle a blade. Later, I joined the army under the Duke of Wei and learned martial arts from the old duke."

The Xingping Emperor nodded and asked, "Are you aware of Zhang Kuo's situation?"

Pan Yong replied, "Yes."

The Xingping Emperor asked, "What is your plan to deal with Ren Xun?"

Pan Yong replied, "Your Majesty, last year, when I was in the army, there were some old soldiers from the Right Route Army who had previously served in the Shuozhou garrison. From their casual conversations, I learned that most of the officers in the Shuozhou garrison, while receiving salaries from the imperial court, behaved no differently than bandit leaders who occupied the mountains. They seized the farmers' land and harmed their daughters. The lower-ranking soldiers, either out of fear of offending their superiors or a desire to profit from the situation, also participated in harming the people. Over time, the soldiers who refused to go along with these practices were beaten and punished, leaving only bandit-like soldiers in the garrison."

"Your servant believes that most of Ren Xun's soldiers are these soldier-bandits, tightly bound together by their shared interests. It would be difficult to persuade them to abandon their dark ways with just empty words. Therefore, your servant wishes to first try to pacify and recruit the bandits who were forced into rebellion by the previous dynasty, offering them citizenship and land. Then, we can use them to eliminate officers like Ren Xun. Once the leaders are gone, the soldiers will naturally submit to the court, and we can reorganize military discipline."

"Naturally, the decision to win over Ren Xun's men or the bandits can only be made after I have met with them."

The Xingping Emperor smiled and looked at the two Prime Ministers.

Wei Qi and Song Lan both nodded in approval.

"You are very capable, and I look forward to your good news!"

As Pan Yong left the palace, he ran into Fan Zhao.

Fan Zhao walked over with a smile.

Pan Yong bowed and said, "Thank you, Marquis, for your recommendation."

Fan Zhao helped him up, saying, "Don't give me that. We're old friends. Besides, I only recommended you because you're capable. If you were incompetent, I wouldn't bother. So, do you have confidence in your mission to Liangzhou? Don't mess up the Emperor's task."

Pan Yong said, "I will do my utmost."

Fan Zhao knew that Pan Yong disliked boasting. He had the Xiao family’s humility without their excessive formality. If you invited him to drink, he would drink. If you wanted to spar, he would join in. He was straightforward and refreshing.

"You're leaving tomorrow morning, right? How about we have a few more bowls together tonight?"

Pan Yong said, "Sure, Marquis, you can choose the restaurant, and I’ll treat you tonight."

Fan Zhao smiled, "Restaurants are too noisy. How about we go to your place instead? We can talk freely about military matters."

Pan Yong said, "Very well, I’ll ask my wife to prepare more dishes for you."

Fan Zhao thought to himself that he just wanted to see Pan Yong’s daughter.

——

Pan Family.

After the servant Pan Yong sent to deliver the message stepped down, Wang Shi immediately looked at her daughter with a smile.

Pan Yuerou, with a glance, urged, "Mother, why don’t you tell the cook to buy some fresh meat and vegetables? Why are you looking at me?"

Wang Shi said, "My beautiful Yuerou, can't I look at you more?"

Pan Yuerou continued to sip her tea.

Wang Shi, recalling the scene outside the restaurant where she encountered her husband and Fan Zhao, sighed lightly, "This Marquis Wuying, with his handsome features and noble bearing, became a Marquis at the age of thirty-three, leading the important position of Commander of the Imperial Guards. He is even more favored than the old Duke Xiao was. He insisted on coming to our home for drinks. He likely has his eye on you. It’s a pity that, despite his many good qualities, he has a household full of concubines and a son from his first wife. It’s a flaw in an otherwise perfect match."

Pan Yuerou, looking at the teacup in her hand and admiring the floral pattern on its surface, said leisurely, "You’re really greedy, wanting everything. He's thirty-three; how could he still be single? If he didn't have a penchant for beautiful women, how could he be captivated by me at first sight? If he weren’t his mother’s cherished son, the respectable families in Luoyang would have already sent their legitimate daughters to him. How could it be my turn?"

Wang Shi said, "Yes, yes, I'm just feeling sorry for you. At such a young age, you'd be a stepmother."

Pan Yuerou said, "Being a stepmother is still being a Marquis’s wife, which is more prestigious than being the first wife of an elegant Zhuangyuan."

Wang Shi said, "That's true. Marrying a Marquis means a lifetime of wealth and glory."

Pan Yuerou said, "Alright, Mother, please prepare dinner. I’ll inform Grandmother."

At dusk, Fan Zhao left the palace and rode to the Pan family’s residence in Sixunfang without changing out of his official robes. The Pan family had specially sent a servant to wait for him at the entrance, as this was Fan Zhao’s first visit to the Pan family.

Upon arriving at the Pan family's gate, Fan Zhao dismounted his horse. Pan Yong and his wife, Wang Shi, came out to greet him. Pan Yong was a man of few words, while Wang Shi was quite the opposite, immediately launching into a torrent of praise for Fan Zhao, expressing her gratitude for his recommendation.

Fan Zhao found her incessant chatter annoying and bluntly said, "Madam, please skip the formalities. I have a headache."

Wang Shi promptly fell silent.

Fan Zhao’s frown remained as he walked past the screen wall, only to be startled to see an old woman and a young woman standing by the carved ceremonial gate. The old woman was dark and thin, initially intimidating, which only served to make the girl in a green robe and white skirt look even more like a fresh, delicate flower bud.

Fan Zhao’s frown eased, and he halted, fixing his gaze on the girl.

Despite having several beauties in his own courtyard, none of them compared to Pan Yuerou. Her eyes were like the moon in a spring night sky, gently enticing yet unattainable.

To be honest, Xiao Er’s wife, Tong Sui, was even more vibrant, but she lacked the softness. While other young women plucked flower petals, Tong Sui could kill a man with an arrow faster than they could blink.

Meeting Fan Zhao’s direct gaze, Pan Yuerou gave him a look that mixed shyness and annoyance, hiding behind Old Madam Pan.

Fan Zhao regained his composure, coughed uncomfortably, and pointed at Old Madam Pan, asking, "Is this the matriarch?"

Pan Yong explained, "Yes, this is my mother. She has long admired Marquis Fan’s reputation. When she learned you were coming to our humble home today, she insisted on coming out to meet you."

Old Madam Pan appeared overwhelmed with excitement.

Fan Zhao smiled and said, "Feel free to look. There’s nothing special, just a face like anyone else’s."

Old Madam Pan finally said, "So handsome, so imposing!"

Pan Yong said, "Alright, Mother, please go inside. Don't delay me from accompanying Marquis Fan for drinks."

Fan Zhao said, "No delay, no delay. Since the elder madam likes me, let's have dinner together."

Pan Yuerou suddenly let go of Old Madam Pan and, in a somewhat coquettish manner, said to Pan Yong, "Father, since Marquis Fan wants Grandmother to join us for dinner, I will take my leave."

Without giving Pan Yong or Fan Zhao a chance to persuade her to stay, she turned and ran into the ceremonial gate.

Fan Zhao could only catch a glimpse of her slender and graceful figure, her waist like a willow branch twisting and disappearing.

He had come to the Pan family for a drink and to see the beauty, but now that he had, his heart itched even more, and he felt far less comfortable than before the meeting.

Feeling stifled, Fan Zhao drank bowl after bowl with Pan Yong, engaging in a drinking contest. If not for Pan Dai returning and helping Pan Yong take a few bowls, Pan Yong would have been overwhelmed.

After drinking enough, a drunken Fan Zhao was led to the guest room by a servant.

Only then did Pan Yong rush to the side to vomit profusely.

Wang Shi, feeling distressed, helped him pat his back and said, "He's a great guy, but why did you have to compete in drinking?"

Pan Yong shook his head and told his son to watch over Fan Zhao. The couple then returned to their room.

Wang Shi, feeling eager, whispered, "Do you think we should have Yuerou take care of him? You're leaving soon and won't be back for who knows how long. If Marquis Fan takes advantage of Yuerou, he won’t be able to back out, and this matter will be truly settled."

Pan Yong said, "He may be rash, but he's not stupid. He's surrounded by many concubines and has seen all kinds of tricks to gain favor. If Yuerou went to him, he might end up thinking less of her, perhaps taking her as a concubine but not as a principal wife."

Wang Shi, worried about gains and losses, said, "I'm afraid that if we wait too long, another girl from a different family will take the position of Marquis's wife."

Pan Yong said, "No, he dislikes the old court families of Luoyang. He didn't even agree when the Emperor wanted to select a crown princess from those noble families. How could he choose a wife from such a background?"

Because he knew of Fan Zhao's prejudice, Pan Yong had supported his daughter when she intentionally inquired about Fan Zhao's family situation.

Since he had already climbed up to Fan Zhao, he might as well hold on tighter!

The Xiao family was adept at strategy and had many talented individuals, making them the most susceptible to being discarded after their usefulness. Fan Zhao, loyal and brave yet lacking in strategy, was precisely the type most favored by the royal family.